Automatic switch.



No. 846,147. y TATENTIID MAR. 5, 1907.

' G. SCHMITZ. AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

APPLIGATION FILED SEPT. 19, 1906.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

GERHARD SCHMITZ, OF BYESVILLE, OHIO, ASSIGN OR OF ONE-HALF TO DAVIDBAROLAY, OF BYESVILLE, OHIO.

AUTOIVIATIC SWITCH.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented March 5, 1907.

Application iletl September 19,1906. Serial No. 335,221.

tracks the empty cars are usually shunted to the siding by making aiiying switch.

The present invention has for its object to improve and simplify theapparatus dis-I closed in Letters Patent of the United States granted tome July 17, 1906, No. 826,366.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a plan view of the switch andits operating mechanism. Figs. 2, 3, L1, and 5 are side elevationsshowing the parts in diiferent positions. 1

Referring speciiically to the drawings, 10 denotes the rails of the maintrack, and 11 the rails of the siding. The movable switchrails 12 arecarried by the usual switch-bar 13, to one end of which is fastened aswitchclosing spring 14. The other end of the switch-bar extends underthe outer rail of the main track and beyond said rail, the extremity ofthe bar being formed with an upstanding iiange 15. Between this flangeand t-he last-mentioned rail is a wedge-bar 16 for actuating the switch.The flange 15 carries a friction-'wheel 17, which engages the outer edgeof the wedge-bar.

At 18 is indicated a trip-lever, which is located adjacent the outerrail of the main track on the outside thereof. This lever is in the pathof the wheels of the locomotive or motor and actuates the wedge-bar,being connected thereto by a rod 19. The trip-lever is in the shape of alink and swings on trunnions 20, extending from its sides and journaledin suitable bearings. The link is made heavier or weighted on one end,so that it will be normally in upright position. The end of the rod 19next to the trip-lever is formed into a loop 21, through which the topcross-bar 22 of the trip-lever extends, whereby a loose connection ishad between said lever and the rod. The object of this loose connectionwill be explained hereinafter.

The normal position of the parts is as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In thisposition the switch is closed and the cross-bar 22 of the trip-lever isat the front end of the loop. If now a train is approaching the switchwith the motor or locomotive in front and it is desired to make a flyingswitch, the motor is uncoupled a short distance in front of the switchand run ahead at increased speed. I/Vhen the motor-wheel strikes thetrip-lever 1S, it is swung downwardly to the left, as shown in Fig. 3,whereby the wedge-bar 16 will be pulled forwardly, which opens theswitch to enable the cars to run into the siding. After the motor-wheelshave passed the trip-lever it swings back to an upright positionm asshown in Fig. 4, its loose connection with the rod 19 permitting thismove-k ment. When the trip-lever assumes this last position, thecross-bar 22 will be at the rear end of the loop 21, so that when theniotor is returning on the main track with loaded cars and themotor-wheels strike the trip-lever and swing it to the right, as shownin Fig. 5, the wedge-bar will be pushed back to its original position toclose the switch. After the cars have passed the trip-lever it willagain come to an upright position, with its cross-bar 22 at the frontend of the loop 21. The parts are then restored to their normalposition. (Shown in Figs. 1. and 2.)

I claim- 1. The combination with a switch-actuating member, of acar-actuated trip constructed to swing in either direction, means forautomatically returning the trip to operative position, and a connectionbetween said trip and member for operating the switch when the trip isswung in either direction, and constructed to allow the return movementof the trip.

2. The combination with a switch-actuating member, of a car-actuatedtrip constructed to swing in either direction, means for automaticallyreturning the trip to operative position, and a loose connection betweensaid trip and member constructed to operate the switch when the trip isswung in either direction, and to permit the return movement of thetrip.

3. The combination with a switch-actuating member, of a normally erectcar-actuated trip constructed to swing in either direction, and aconnection between said trip IOO IOT

and member to operate the switch when the ing member, of a. looped rodloosely connecttrip is swung in either direction, and coned thereto, ande normally erect ear-actustrueted to allow-the return movement of l atedtrip engageable With either end of the l loop for operating the switch.

ln testimony whereofl l have signed my neme to this speeii'ication inthe presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

GERHARD SCHMITZ.

the trip. A 5 4. The combina-tion with :L switch-actuating member, of e.looped rod loosely connected thereto, and a car-actuated tripconstructed to swing` in either direction to engege either end or' theloop for operating the 1c switch. l

5. The combination with e sWiteh-actua-tlitnesses:

HARRY H. HEED, E. F. MEEK.

